It
resembled the Fairy Garden in Madame D'Alnoy's story of The White
Cat, and in the autumn yielded a plentiful crop of fine-flavored
fruit. But now the trees were bare and the garden looked
somewhat forlorn for lack of greenery. But in spite of the
lateness of the season, Lucy often brought a book to read under
the glowing wall, and there ripened like a peach in the warm
sunshine. On this occasion she brought Archie into the old-world
garden, as he had hinted at confidences. And the time had come
to speak plainly, as Hope began to think that he had not treated
Lucy quite fairly in hiding from her his momentarily embarrassed
position.
"Why can't we marry at once?" asked Lucy, seeing that her lover
held his peace and looked confused.
Hope did not reply directly. "I had better release you from your
engagement," he said haltingly.
"Oh!" Lucy's nostrils dilated and she threw back her head
scornfully. "And the other woman's name?"
"There is no other woman. I love you and you only. But--
money."
"What about money? You have your income!"
"Oh yes--that is sure, small as it is. But I have incurred
debts on behalf of an uncle and his family. These have
embarrassed me for the moment, and so I cannot see my way to
marrying you for at least six months, Lucy.
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